Energy receiving and storing single lever control for actuating one or more remote mechanisms

ABSTRACT

A control device having a single lever movable between at least two locating positions to apply an actuating force to one or more remote servient mechanisms. A holding means retains the control lever in the selected locating position, and a first drive means operatively connects the control lever to a tong means comprised of rotatably opposed tong arms. Engagement of the first drive means with the tong means rotates one arm thereof in response to movement of the control lever, and an energy receiving and storing means between the tong arms receives the force incident to rotation of the one tong arm and applies it biasingly against the second tong arm for rotation thereof. A second drive means operatively connects the tong means to a throw member so that rotation of the second tong arm will move the throw member to operate a motion-transmitting device connected between the control and each remote servient mechanism.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Richard D. lI-Iouk Stow, Ohio [2l] Appl. No. 30,003

[22] Filed Apr. 20, 1970 [45] Patented Dec. 21, 1971 [73] Assignee North American Rockwell Corporation Pittsburgh, Pa.

[54] ENERGY RECEIVING AND STORING SINGLE LEVER CONTROL FOR ACTUATING ONE OR MORE REMOTE MECHANISMS 16 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

[5 l] Int. Cl G05g 1/00 [50] Field of Search 74/473,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 1,427,684 8/1922 Grieves 74/470 3,276,285 10/1966 Irgens Primary Examiner-Milton Kaufman ABSTRACT: A control device having a single lever movable between at least two locating positions to apply an actuating force to one or more remote servien't mechanisms. A holding means retains the control lever in the selected locating position, and a first drive means operatively connects the control lever to a tong means comprised of rotatably opposed tong arms. Engagement of the first drive means with the tong means rotates one arm thereofin response to movement of the control lever, and an energy receiving and storing means between the tong arms receives the force incident to rotation of the one tong arm and applies it biasingly against the second tong arm for rotation thereof. A second drive means operatively connects the tong means to a throw member so that rotation of the second tong arm will move the throw member to operate a motion-transmitting device connected between the control and each remote servient mechanism.

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ATTORNEYS WYW ENERGY RECEIVING AND STORING SINGLE LEVER CONTROL FOR ACTUA'IING ONE OR MORE REMOTE MECHANISMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a control adapted to receive the force necessary to actuate one or more remote servient mechanisms through a single control lever movable between at least two locating positions and apply that force to the servient mechanisms through a corresponding number of energy receiving and storing means in order to permit movement of the control lever between selected locating positions irrespective of whether actuation of the servient mechanisms is immediately achieved and to maintain the force as a biasing pressure against the servient mechanism until actuated.

Historically, vehicles that employed more than one drive train-and thus a corresponding number of transmissionsrequired individual shift control mechanisms for each transmission. Such vehicles normally utilize a single forward and reverse range in each transmission and unless expensive synchromesh gears are incorporated in the transmission, shifting of the transmission often requires several attempts before the gears will mesh. With multiple controls, the difficulty, and annoyance, of effecting a shift is compounded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a single lever control for simultaneously applying an actuating force to one or more servient mechanisms such as dual, vehicular transmissions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a control device, as above, that will accept the force applied to the single control lever and effect an immediate actuation of the servient mechanism, or, if the servient mechanism is unable to accept the actuating force, to store said force within the control as potential energy to be released for actuation of the servient mechanism as soon as it is able to accept the actuating force.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a control device, as above, that can be remotely located with respect to the servient mechanism and which will transform the swinging movement of a single control lever into the linear movement acceptable to motion transmitting devices in the nature of push-pull control cables.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a control device, as above, by which the force necessary to actuate the remote servient mechanism can be manually applied to a single control lever and, if necessary, the force stored within the control even after the operator releases the control lever.

These and other objects of the invention, as well as the ad vantages thereof over existing prior art forms, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the attached drawings and are accomplished by means hereinafter described and claimed.

A control embodying the concept of the present invention is adapted to actuate one or more servient mechanisms which may be located remotely therefrom-each servient mechanism being operatively connected to the control by a motion-transmitting device. In general, such a control has a single control lever mounted in a housing for selective movement between at least two locating positions. A first drive means connects the controllever to a tong means for each motion-transmitting device connected to the control. The tong means has opposed arms thatare relatively movable and have an energy receiving and storing means operatively connected therebetween. Movement of the control lever brings the first drive means into contact with, and moves, the first arm of each said tong means, This movement of the first tong arm imparts a force to the energy receiving and storing device, which force is applied from the energy receiving ans storing device against the opposed tong arm by which it is urged to follow the first tong arm.

A second drive means is operatively connected between each tong means and a throw member connected to the corresponding motion-transmitting device so that when the second arm of the tong means is urged to move by movement of the one tong arm, as relayed through the energy receiving and storing means, this movement of the second tong arm will move the throw member unless the servient mechanism can not be actuated, in which event the movement of the first tong arm against the energy receiving ans storing means constitutes the work necessary to store potential energy within the energy receiving and storing means. The biasing force of the stored potential energy is then available to move the second tong arm at such time as the corresponding servient mechanism is able to be actuated.

Holding means are provided to retain the control lever in the selected locating position irrespective of whether or not the servient mechanism, or mechanisms, are able to be actuated at the time the control lever is moved. This relieves the operator from the necessity of actually holding the control lever until such time as the servient mechanisms have been actuated.

One preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings and is described in detail without attempting to shown all of the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied; the invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the details of the specification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevation of a control embodying the concept of the present invention depicted as being operatively connected to a remote, dual transmission;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan taken substantially on line 2- 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlargedvertical section transversely of the control taken substantially on line 3-3i of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a reduced vertical section longitudinally of the control taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and depicting the control lever, as well as the components of the control, disposed in the neutral position;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 depicting the mechanism of the subject control disposed as it would be to accommodate the swing of the control lever from neutral into one of the locating, or shift, positions and to store the energy available from such oscillation for use in effecting a shift in the remote transmission when the components therein are properly oriented to permit a shift;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 depicting the mechanism of the control disposed as it would be after the shift has been effected;

FIG. 7 is a reduced, partial section taken substantially on line 77 of FIG. 3 and appearing on the same sheet of drawings as FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a further partial section taken substantially on line 8-8 of FIG. 3 and also reduced but appearing on the same sheet of drawings as FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a cross section taken substantially on line 9-9 of FIG. 4 and appearing on the same sheet of drawings therewith; and,

FIG. 10 is also a cross section taken substantially on line 10-10 of FIG. 4 and appearing on the same sheet of drawings therewith.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly to the drawings, a control ernbodying the concept of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 10 and is depicted, schematically in FIG. l, as being connected to actuate a pair of shift levers 11A and 118 on a remote, dual transmission 12 by a pair of motion transmitting devices 13A and 138, respectively.

In view of the fact that two motion transmitting devices 13A and 138 can be individually actuated by common movement of a single control lever, duplicate elements are employed within the control 10. Those elements will henceforth be I described generally and designated with appropriate nu- .within a casing to transmit mechanical motion by the application of either tensile or compressive forces to the core 14 when at least the ends of the casing 15 are held in a fixed position relative to the core.

The casing of each cable has an end fitting 16 affixed thereto. Each end fitting 16 is preferably provided with an annular notch 18 (FIGS. 4 and 10) within the diametrically op posed sides of which the substantially parallel anchor bolts 19 and 20 may be received and by which the motion transmitting devices 13A and 133 may be secured to the housing 21 of the control 10.

An extension tube 22 may be mounted to swivel on fitting 16, as by a socket arrangement not shown. Extension tube 22 slidably receives an end rod 23, one end of which is connected to the core 14 interiorly of the tube 22. Extension tube 22 is closely fitted around the end rod 23 in order to guide the end rod and also to prevent excessive deflection of that portion of the core 14 sliding therein, particularly when subjected to compressive loads.

The end rods 23A and 23B are secured to corresponding throw members 25A and 258 as by individual connector blocks 26. Each connector block 26 has a tong portion 28 that is axially bored, at 29, to receive the end rod 23. As shown, the bore 29 may be threaded matingly to receive the correspondingly threaded end rod 23, and a lock nut 30 may be employed to assure the connection therebetween.

The head portion 31 of each connector block 26 may be transversely bored (FIG. 3) to receive a pin 32 by which the connector block is swingingly secured to the two, laterally spaced plate 33 and 34 forming each throw member 25. Further details as to the construction of the throw members 25. Further details as to the construction of the throw members 25 themselves will become apparent from the ensuing description of their overall relationship to the control itself. Each throw member 25 is mounted for swinging movement on a support shaft 35 that extends transversely between the two, opposed, side plates 36 and 37 forming the housing 21. As best seen in FIG. 3, a pair of opposed cap screws 38 and 39 secure the support shaft 35 to the side plates 36 and 37, respectively. I

A control lever assembly 40 is also carried on the support shaft 35 and is preferably positioned between the two throw members 25A and 25B. The control lever assembly 40 has a stepped, hub member 42 that is rotatably mounted on the support shaft 35. The base portion 43 of the control lever 44 is received over the medial portion of the hub member 42. One side of the base portion 43 is maintained substantially against a flange 45 extending radially of the hub member 42 by a washer 46 engaging the opposite side of the base portion. The washer 46 is itself retained by a C-clip 48 received within an annular groove 49 in the hub member 42.

Spaced axially of the control lever 44, a trunnion plate 50 is carried on the reduced portion 51 at each end of the hub member 42. Each trunnion plate 50 is secured against the shoulder formed at the juncture of the reduced portion 51 with the remainder of the hub member 42 by C-clips 52.

Radially of the hub member 42 a first drive means 53 is provided to impart the motion of the control lever, via intermediarymechanism hereinafter more fully explained, to the throw members 25 In the specific form depicted, the drive means 53 employs a sleeve 54 that spans between the spaced trunnion plates 50 with a cylindrical orienting neck 55 at each end having a diametric dimension less than the transverse dimension of the sleeve 54 for interfittingly engaging and aligning the bores 56 and the spaced trunnion plates 50.

A tie bolt 58 extends through the sleeve 54 and trunnion plates 50 in generally parallel, spaced relation with respect to the support shaft 35 and carries a cylindrical follower, or drive collar, 59 on each end thereof that extends laterally of the trunnion plates 50. The drive collars 59 also have a cylindrical orienting neck 60 of a reduced diameter on one end for inter-- fittingly engaging the corresponding bore 56.

The drive collars 59A and 598 each extend through the corresponding throw members 25A and 25B. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the drive collars 59 can move within a slot 61- arcuate about the support shaft 35-in each of the space plates 33 and 34 for cooperative interaction with tong means 65.

Individual tong means 65A and 658 each comprise a pair of arms in the form of adjacent plates 66 and 68 rotatably mounted on the support shaft 35 between the plates 33 and 34 forming the respective throw members 25A and 258. The two arms 66 and 68 of each tong means present substantially opposed first seats 69 and 70, respectively, (FIGS. 46) in the form of concave notches for selective engagement by one of the drive collars 59. The tong arms 66 and 68 also present substantially opposed second seats 71 and 72, respectively, for drivingly engaging a drive collar 73 carried on a pin 74 that is secured to, and extends transversely between, the plates 33 and 34 forming the throw member 25.

The first and second seats are preferably located on the same side of the support shaft 35 that defines the rotational axis about which the tong means 65, the control lever assembly 40 and the throw member 25 are movable.

An energy receiving and storing means in the form of a coiled, compression spring 75 is operative between the two arms 66 and 68 of each tong means and is located on the opposite side of the support shaft 35. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 9, the spring 75 encircles the adjacent guide legs 76 and 78 that extend in opposition from the two arms 66 and 68, respectively. A slotted plug 79 is received on guide legs 76 to engage one end of the spring 75, and a similarly slotted plug 80 is received on guide leg 78 to engage the opposite end of the spring 75. The plugs 79 and 80 facilitate the transfer of force between the spring 75 and the two arms 66 and 68 of the tong means 65.

Extending radially from the base portion 43, the control lever 44 extends through anopening 81 inthe gate plate 82 mounted on the housing 21 of the control 10. As best shown in FIG. 2, the opening gate 81 in gate plate 82 is generally rectilinear with two lugs 83 and 84 extending partially across the opening to form holding means by which three locating positions 85, 86 and 88 are defined. Locating position 86 delineates the neutral position of the control and locating positions 85 and 88 delineate opposite shift positions, for example, forward and reverse, respectively.

To facilitate an explanation as to how the subject control operates it may be imagined that the control lever 44 is moved from the neutral locating position 86 into shift position 88. In order to move the control lever 44 past the lug 84 dividing the two locating positions 85 and 86, the lever 44 is preferably of modest resilience so that while it may be bent laterally to clear the lug 83, it will be retained withing the selected locating position when released.

As the control lever 44 is swung about the axis of the support shaft 35 to occasion movement from locating position 86 into locating position 88, the drive collars 59A and 598 will, by their contact with the first seats 69A and 69B, respectively, rotate the arm 66 of each tong means 65A and 658 about the support shaft 35. Should the shift mechanism be unimpeded, the pressure applied by the arm 66 to the spring 75 will cause the second arm 68 of each-tong means 65 to rotate substantially in unison with the first arm 66. This rotation of the second arm 68 forces the seat 72 to drive against drive collar 73 and thus swing the throw member 25, as shown in FIG. 6,

to displace the end rod 23 axially with respect to the extension tube 22 and thereby translate the core 14 within the casing 15.

However, should the shift mechanism be impeded, as occurs when nonsynchromesh gears in a transmission are not meshingly aligned, the subject control will store the force required to shift the transmission as potential energy and effeet the shift as soon as the impedance thereto clears.

In the latter situation, movement of the control lever 44 from neutral position 86 into locating position 88 also rotates the arm 66 of each tong means 65. However, with movement of the shift mechanism impeded, the core 14 will not translate, and throw member 25 is thus retained in a static position. With the throw mechanism 25 immobilized, relative movement of the tong arms 66 and 68 results in a compression of the spring 75, as shown in FIG. 5, and the lug 84 comprises a holding means that maintains the control lever 44 within the locating position 88. Accordingly, the stored energy within the spring 75 will apply a constant pressure to the tong arm 68 so that as soon as the shifting impedance is removed, the arm 68 will rotate the throw member 25 to actuate the corresponding motion-transmitting device l3-i.e., the throw member 25 will rotate from the position depicted in FIG. 5 to that depicted in FIG. 6.

The subject control operates in a similar fashion when the control lever is moved in a reverse direction, as when the control lever is moved from shift position 88 back to neutral position 86, and even from neutral into the opposite shift position 85.

In view of the foregoing disclosure it should be apparent that a control embodying the concept of the present invention affords actuation of one or more servient mechanisms by a single lever acting through an energy storing means in order to accommodate any impediment to the immediate actuation of the servient mechanism and otherwise accomplishes the objects of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A control for actuating at least one servient mechanism by a force-transmitting device operatively connected therebetween comprising, a housing, at least one throw member movably mounted in said housing and operatively connected to said force-transmitting device, a control lever mounted in said housing and movable from a neutral position to at least one actuating position, tong means having a pair of arms mounted on a common support with said lever in said housing for swinging movement, first drive means operatively connecting said control lever to one of said tong arms, second drive means operatively connecting said throw member to the other of said tong arms, a compression spring connected between said tong arms on the opposite side of said support with respect to said first and second drive means.

2. A control, as set forth in claim 1, in which holding means selectively maintain said control lever in at least said actuating position.

3. A control, as set forth in claim 2, in which the pair of arms are so mounted on said common support to swing in opposition to each other.

4i. A control, as set forth in claim 3, in which said first drive means comprises a follower operatively carried by said control lever and operatively engaging at least one of said tong arms and in which said second drive means comprises a follower carried by said throw member and operatively engaging at least the other of said tong arms.

5. A control, as set forth in claim 4, in which said throw member comprises a pair of spaced plates embracing said tong means and mounted to swing on the same support therewith.

6. A control, as set forth in claim 5, in which a control lever assembly is mounted to swing on the same support as said tong means and throw member.

7. A control, as set forth in claim 6, in which a slot arcuate about said support is provided in at least one of the spaced plates comprising said throw member and through which the follower comprising said first drive means can extend operatively to connect said control lever assembly with said tong means. i

8. A control, as set forth in claim 6, in which said control lever assembly has a hub member rotatably mounted on said support and said control lever, said control lever having a base portion received on said hub member and at least one trunnion plate mounted on said hub member and attached to said control lever radially of said hub member and carrying said first drive means.

9. A control, as set forth in claim 8, in which the connection between said trunnion plate and said control lever extends laterally thereof to present the follower of said first drive means.

10. A control, as set forth in claim 2, in which the first drive means comprises a follower operatively carried by said control lever and engaging at least one of said tong arms.

llll. A control, as set forth in claim 110, in which the second drive means comprises a follower carried by said throw member and engaging at least the other of said tong arms.

12. A control, as set forth in claim 2, which is adapted to apply concurring actuating force to at least two remote servient mechanisms by the single control lever, said control having a throw member and a tong means for each servient mechanism.

l3. A control, as set forth in claim I, in which said control lever is movable from a neutral position into two opposed actuating positions.

M. A control, as set forth in claim 13, in which a holding means is provided for each actuating position.

115. A control, as set forth in claim 14, in which the first drive means comprises a follower operatively carried by said control lever and extending transversely thereof to engage at least one arm on each tong means.

16. A control, as set forth in claim 15, in which the second drive means comprises a separate follower carried by each said throw member and engaging the other arm on the respective tong means. 

1. A control for actuating at least one servient mechanism by a force-transmitting device operatively connected therebetween comprising, a housing, at least one throw member movably mounted in said housing and operatively connected to said forcetransmitting device, a control lever mounted in said housing and movable from a neutral position to at least one actuating position, tong means having a pair of arms mounted on a common support with said lever in said housing for swinging movement, first drive means operatively connecting said contRol lever to one of said tong arms, second drive means operatively connecting said throw member to the other of said tong arms, a compression spring connected between said tong arms on the opposite side of said support with respect to said first and second drive means.
 2. A control, as set forth in claim 1, in which holding means selectively maintain said control lever in at least said actuating position.
 3. A control, as set forth in claim 2, in which the pair of arms are so mounted on said common support to swing in opposition to each other.
 4. A control, as set forth in claim 3, in which said first drive means comprises a follower operatively carried by said control lever and operatively engaging at least one of said tong arms and in which said second drive means comprises a follower carried by said throw member and operatively engaging at least the other of said tong arms.
 5. A control, as set forth in claim 4, in which said throw member comprises a pair of spaced plates embracing said tong means and mounted to swing on the same support therewith.
 6. A control, as set forth in claim 5, in which a control lever assembly is mounted to swing on the same support as said tong means and throw member.
 7. A control, as set forth in claim 6, in which a slot arcuate about said support is provided in at least one of the spaced plates comprising said throw member and through which the follower comprising said first drive means can extend operatively to connect said control lever assembly with said tong means.
 8. A control, as set forth in claim 6, in which said control lever assembly has a hub member rotatably mounted on said support and said control lever, said control lever having a base portion received on said hub member and at least one trunnion plate mounted on said hub member and attached to said control lever radially of said hub member and carrying said first drive means.
 9. A control, as set forth in claim 8, in which the connection between said trunnion plate and said control lever extends laterally thereof to present the follower of said first drive means.
 10. A control, as set forth in claim 2, in which the first drive means comprises a follower operatively carried by said control lever and engaging at least one of said tong arms.
 11. A control, as set forth in claim 10, in which the second drive means comprises a follower carried by said throw member and engaging at least the other of said tong arms.
 12. A control, as set forth in claim 2, which is adapted to apply concurring actuating force to at least two remote servient mechanisms by the single control lever, said control having a throw member and a tong means for each servient mechanism.
 13. A control, as set forth in claim 1, in which said control lever is movable from a neutral position into two opposed actuating positions.
 14. A control, as set forth in claim 13, in which a holding means is provided for each actuating position.
 15. A control, as set forth in claim 14, in which the first drive means comprises a follower operatively carried by said control lever and extending transversely thereof to engage at least one arm on each tong means.
 16. A control, as set forth in claim 15, in which the second drive means comprises a separate follower carried by each said throw member and engaging the other arm on the respective tong means. 